Marchionne Previews New Models for Chrysler Dealers

By Christina Rogers

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Sergio Marchionne

LAS VEGAS— Sergio Marchionne took over Chrysler Group LLC three years ago promising that the auto maker would churn out new, fuel-efficient models quickly, using assistance from its principal owner, Fiat.

Mr. Marchionne on Monday took to a stage here to show dealers the fruits of the partnership: more than a half-dozen new cars and Jeeps poised to hit showrooms over the next two years, many built from parts and components that Chrysler has borrowed from the Italian auto maker, dealers who attended the event said.

“If we did anything in the last two years, we changed the conversation,” Mr. Marchionne said, according to the attendees. Despite the auto maker’s sales gains this year, “We cannot afford to stop. We can’t afford to rest,” he said.

Among the most important new vehicles is a midsize sedan, due in the first quarter of 2014, that would feature a nine-speed transmission and get 38 miles on a gallon of gasoline, the dealers said.

Mr. Marchionne and other executives also unveiled a new compact car, the Chrysler 100; a four-door subcompact called the Fiat 500L; a compact Jeep; and a replacement for the midsize Jeep Liberty, the name of which wasn’t specified. Chrysler also showed variations on current models, including special editions of the Chrysler 300 sedan and the Jeep Wrangler.